An Exciting Face-off: San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks

On October 10, 2024, the San Francisco 49ers clinched a thrilling 36-24 victory over the Seahawks in Seattle. Despite the mounting pressure, the 49ers refrained from labeling it a “must-win” game. However, the gravity of the game was not lost on the team, especially with them standing at 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the NFC West division.

Nick Bosa and his teammates were unanimous in their view that the game was of utmost importance, given the circumstances. A defeat would not have ended their season, but it could have made their path considerably more challenging.

Despite numerous adversities, including injuries and officiating controversies, the 49ers emerged victorious. Miraculously, even with a 3-3 standing, the Niners are leading the division, thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker over Seattle.

This victory was achieved despite the absence of cornerback Charvarius Ward and injuries to running back Jordan Mason and safety Malik Mustapha. Key players like tight end George Kittle and receiver Deebo Samuel Sr also suffered injuries during the game.

This enthralling match proved that the 49ers are ready to face any challenges that come their way, as they strive to keep their Super Bowl dreams alive.

A Closer Look at Thursday’s Game: The 49ers’ Triumph

Despite facing adversity throughout the majority of Thursday’s match, Purdy still managed to deliver the necessary plays that led to victory. His performance, comprised of 18 completions out of 28 attempts for 255 yards, three touchdowns, and no interceptions, was precisely the boost the 49ers required.

Persisting Problem: Special Teams Issues

The 49ers continue to grapple with an ongoing issue: their special teams’ performance. This flaw was significantly evident during their Super Bowl LVIII loss against the Kansas City Chiefs and has consistently marked their first six matches of the current season. The team seemed ready to outscore the Seahawks with a triumphant touchdown drive launching the second half on Thursday. However, their lead diminished quickly after permitting a 97-yard kick return touchdown. This issue is compounded by previous errors, such as the fake punt they allowed in Week 3 against the Los Angeles Rams, which resulted in a loss, and last week’s 39-yard kick return that led to Jake Moody’s injury in the match against the Cardinals. Although mid-season changes in special teams are challenging, it’s clear that improvements are needed urgently.

Glimmers of Hope: Rookie Performances

Despite injuries to Mason and Ward, the 49ers found solace in the performance of rookies Renardo Green and Isaac Guerendo, who stepped up to fill the void. Despite some hiccups, both Green and Guerendo came through, making plays that were instrumental in sealing the win. Green intercepted a pass from Geno Smith, the Seahawks’ quarterback, in the fourth quarter, extending the 49ers’ lead to double digits. Guerendo, on the other hand, contributed 99 yards from 10 carries, which included a game-changing 76-yard sprint, dashing any comeback hopes for Seattle.

Upcoming match: Chiefs at 4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday, Oct. 20

Seattle Seahawks (3-3) Still Struggling against the 49ers

Over the past couple of seasons, the 49ers have consistently been a formidable opponent for the Seahawks. Despite some progress in their latest division-rival match, the Seahawks remain stuck in a rut of three consecutive losses following a promising 3-0 start to the season. The gap between the two teams seemed less pronounced during Thursday’s match, contrasting with the previous five matches where the 49ers outscored the Seahawks 148-72. Initially, it seemed like another landslide victory for the 49ers, but the Seahawks managed to claw back in the third quarter, bringing some life back into the game. Despite their efforts, the team fell short, raising questions about their chances against a 49ers team struggling on both defense and offense.

Quarterback Breakdown: Smith Versus 49ers’ Defense

Smith’s performance against the 49ers’ defense was less than stellar, continuing a trend from previous encounters. He was not particularly troubled by the 49ers’ pressure, but failed to capitalize on the clean pockets he got, throwing for 312 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, and an un-Sm.

Overview of a Football Game with Surprising Outcomes

Unfortunate Performance by Smith

Smith’s performance was less than stellar, with a completion rate of only 57.7%. During the game, he threw his first interception towards Tyler Lockett, which ended up being an overthrown pass. Meanwhile, his second interception was an unfortunate pass to cornerback Green, who intercepted a cross pass intended for DK Metcalf. Smith has experienced rough patches during the season, including two interceptions resulting from tipped throws. However, these recent interceptions cannot be attributed to luck.

Alarming Trend: Seahawks’ Turnover Issue

The Seahawks have been plagued with a growing issue: they’re losing possession of the ball far more often than they’re gaining it. Entering Thursday’s game, only four teams had a worse turnover margin than the Seahawks at minus-3. This margin grew to minus-6 following Smith’s two interceptions and Laviska Shenault Jr.’s fumbled kickoff return. Shenault did manage to redeem himself by returning a subsequent kickoff 97 yards for a touchdown. However, this pattern of turnovers is not sustainable.

Major Game Plan Flaw: The Seahawks’ Run Game

The Seahawks’ run game continues to be a significant concern. In the first five fixtures, the main problem seemed to be an overreliance on their passing game, which resulted in them ranking last in the NFL for designed rush rate. Although they attempted more runs during Thursday’s game, they struggled, amassing only 52 yards from 20 attempts before a two-score deficit pressured them into pass play. Kenneth Walker III did score a touchdown, but his overall performance was disappointing, with only 32 yards from 14 carries.

Next Game Update

Brady Henderson reports that the Seahawks’ next game will be against the Falcons, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, Sunday, October 20th.